• Giulio Di Sturco

Stories

UAE Green dunes

The United Arab Emirates, most of which is desert, is afraid of starving. In an unstable geopolitical context, the Emirates, so popular with the international jet-set, imports 90% of its food; the Covid-19 crisis, blocking both the economy and its international airport, raised fears of the longer-term risks of isolation for this desert confetti. The answer was quickin all UAE area: a plan to revive agriculture that the USSR would not have denied, but doped with high-tech (aquaponics, powerful fertilizers, etc.). The Emirates are summoning the latest international technology (and imported labor) to make the desert green. Even if it means playing against nature.

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Aerotropolis

An aerotropolis is a city whose main function is its airport, which boosts business and development in a hub around it. The idea belongs to futurist John D. Kasarda, who believes airports will be the capitals of the future. These new hubs have drawn in tens connection. But what are they like to live in?

This body of work is the first to capture life in the airport city offering a look inside the original ground-breakers. It comes at an important time, because airports will shape urban development in the 21st century as much as highways did in the 20th century, railroads in the 19th century and seaports in the 18th century. If the model becomes the way we live next, it is vital to show how it will impact human lives.

Ganga Ma

Ganga Ma (Mother Ganges) is the culmination of a ten-year research project. Starting in 2005, Di Sturco has chronicled the course of the river Ganges over 2,500 km, downstream from its source as snow in the Himalayan glaciers through to Bangladesh where it empties into the sea in the bay of Bengal. Much more than a mere river, for Hindus the Ganges represents the fulcrum of spirituality. Ironically, today the river is one of the most polluted in the world. Its water levels have shrunk drastically and are very toxic, endangering the livelihoods of over 400 million people who depend on it.

Portfolio

gds_portfolio01-2 Ganges, India, 2014. The Ganges River is a symbol of Indian civilization as old as Athens and Jerusalem, a source of poetry and legend, now on the brink of an ecological crisis. For centuries people have journeyed here to the heart of Hindu culture in India.
ganga-ma-2 Varanasi, India, 2008. Hindu devotees along the banks of the Ganges getting ready to bathe in the water of the sacred river.
gds_portfolio03-2 Sunderbans, Bangladesh, 2014. Fishermen in the icy winter breeze get ready to go out fishing in the Sunderbans, Bangladesh 2014.
gds_portfolio16-2 Gobi Desert, Mongolia, 2019. Cashmere - The Origin of a Secret’ is a fitting tribute to the perseverance of the traditional goat herders of Mongolia and Inner Mongolia, who for generations have worked in one of earth’s harshest landscapes, but whose way of life is now threatened by forces beyond their control.There is no will, it is just a matter of time and evolution. Humans evolve with the animals, you cannot remove one without the other. In the end, it is evolution that produces these amazing fibres
gds_portfolio17 Gobi Desert, Mongolia, 2019. Cashmere - The Origin of a Secret’ is a fitting tribute to the perseverance of the traditional goat herders of Mongolia and Inner Mongolia, who for generations have worked in one of earth’s harshest landscapes, but whose way of life is now threatened by forces beyond their control.There is no will, it is just a matter of time and evolution. Humans evolve with the animals, you cannot remove one without the other. In the end, it is evolution that produces these amazing fibres
gds_portfolio18 Gobi Desert, Mongolia, 2019. Cashmere - The Origin of a Secret’ is a fitting tribute to the perseverance of the traditional goat herders of Mongolia and Inner Mongolia, who for generations have worked in one of earth’s harshest landscapes, but whose way of life is now threatened by forces beyond their control.There is no will, it is just a matter of time and evolution. Humans evolve with the animals, you cannot remove one without the other. In the end, it is evolution that produces these amazing fibres
aerotropolis-6 New Songdo, Seul, South Korea, 2017. New Songdo International Business District is a compelling aerotropolis strategically located just over 7 miles from Incheon International Airport. Major airports have become key nodes in global production and enterprise systems offering them speed, agility, and connectivity. They are also powerful engines of local economic development, attracting aviation-linked businesses of all types to their environs. These include, among others, time-sensitive manufacturing and distribution facilities; hotel, entertainment, retail, convention, trade and exhibition complexes; and office buildings that house air-travel intensive executives and professionals.. The rapid expansion of airport-linked commercial facilities is making today's air gateways anchors of 21st century metropolitan development where distant travelers and locals alike can conduct business, exchange knowledge, shop, eat, sleep, and be entertained without going more than 15 minutes from the airport. This functional and spatial evolution is transforming many city airports into airport cities. The Aerotropolis consists of an airport city and outlying corridors and clusters of aviation-linked businesses and associated residential development. A number of these clusters such as Amsterdam Zuidas, Las Colinas, Texas, and South Korea's Songdo International Business District have become globally significant airport edge-cities representing planned postmodern urban mega-development in the age of the Aerotropolis.
aerotropolis-5 New Songdo, Seul, South Korea, 2017 The New Auditorium of the Songdo University. New Songdo International Business District is a compelling aerotropolis strategically located just over 7 miles from Incheon International Airport. Major airports have become key nodes in global production and enterprise systems offering them speed, agility, and connectivity. They are also powerful engines of local economic development, attracting aviation-linked businesses of all types to their environs. These include, among others, time-sensitive manufacturing and distribution facilities; hotel, entertainment, retail, convention, trade and exhibition complexes; and office buildings that house air-travel intensive executives and professionals.. The rapid expansion of airport-linked commercial facilities is making today's air gateways anchors of 21st century metropolitan development where distant travelers and locals alike can conduct business, exchange knowledge, shop, eat, sleep, and be entertained without going more than 15 minutes from the airport. This functional and spatial evolution is transforming many city airports into airport cities. The Aerotropolis consists of an airport city and outlying corridors and clusters of aviation-linked businesses and associated residential development. A number of these clusters such as Amsterdam Zuidas, Las Colinas, Texas, and South Korea's Songdo International Business District have become globally significant airport edge-cities representing planned postmodern urban mega-development in the age of the Aerotropolis.
gds_portfolio07-2 Petralia, Sicily, Italy, 2022. Sicily hosts the only sites in the world where the production, extraction and manufacturing of salt take place entirely underground through major networks of tunnels over 70km long. The salt arrives on the market in its original state, resurfacing to light after 6 million years. The region is believed to store natural salt reserves of 100 million tons. There are currently three salt mines in Sicily: Petralia, one of the richest salt deposits in Europe, Realmonte which is able to produce about 500 thousand tons of salt each year, playing an important role in the local economy and Racalmuto which became an important mining centre in the last century.
aerotropolis-4 Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, 2017, a nature park spanning 101 hectares of reclaimed land in central Singapore. More than 15,000 people are employed at Singapore Changi Airport, with a direct economic impact to Singapore of more than $4.5 billion annually. There is also a strong focus on industry with the extensive Changi Airfreight Center and a Free Trade Zone called Airport Logistic Park of Singapore located alongside the airport. The 47 hectare Airfreight Center has nine airfreight terminals with a combined yearly handling capacity of 3 million tons. More than 60 percent of the airport's revenues come from non-aeronautical activities. Once its latest upgrade is complete, Singapore's Changi Airport will have the capacity to handle 64 million passangers a year which is 16 times Singapore's population. The airport features supermarkets, a 350 room hotel, cinemas, swimming pools, saunas and a rooftop cactus garden.
gds_portfolio12-2 Sicily, Italy 2022. In the era termed “Anthropocosmos” — during which human activity is considered to be a significant influence on the balance, beauty, and ecology of the entire universe — contemporary human imagination is easily intrigued by the dream and upgrade of science and technology with a renewed sense of urgency.
gds_portfolio08-2 Petralia, Sicily, Italy, 2022. Sicily hosts the only sites in the world where the production, extraction and manufacturing of salt take place entirely underground through major networks of tunnels over 70km long. The salt arrives on the market in its original state, resurfacing to light after 6 million years. The region is believed to store natural salt reserves of 100 million tons. There are currently three salt mines in Sicily: Petralia, one of the richest salt deposits in Europe, Realmonte which is able to produce about 500 thousand tons of salt each year, playing an important role in the local economy and Racalmuto which became an important mining centre in the last century.
gds_portfolio09-2 Petralia, Sicily, Italy, 2022. Sicily hosts the only sites in the world where the production, extraction and manufacturing of salt take place entirely underground through major networks of tunnels over 70km long. The salt arrives on the market in its original state, resurfacing to light after 6 million years. The region is believed to store natural salt reserves of 100 million tons. There are currently three salt mines in Sicily: Petralia, one of the richest salt deposits in Europe, Realmonte which is able to produce about 500 thousand tons of salt each year, playing an important role in the local economy and Racalmuto which became an important mining centre in the last century.
meghalaya Early morning fog at the Living root bridges in Rawai, Mawlynnong, tourists come form all over india to cross the small river on this bridges that are handmade from the aerial roots of living banyan fig trees, by the Khasi people, 22 July 2016. Mawlynnong is a village in the East Khasi Hills district of the Meghalaya state, India. It is famous for its cleanliness and natural attraction. Mawlynnong was awarded the prestigious tag of 'Cleanest Village in Asia' in 2003 by Discover India Magazine.  According the the census in 2015, the total population of Mawlynnong is 500 and is located 90 km from Shillong, along the India-Bangladesh border. @Giulio Di Sturco
gds_portfolio10-2 Touluse, France, 2022. In the era termed “Anthropocosmos” — during which human activity is considered to be a significant influence on the balance, beauty, and ecology of the entire universe — contemporary human imagination is easily intrigued by the dream and upgrade of science and technology with a renewed sense of urgency.
gds_portfolio11-2 Touluse, France, 2022. Inside the Airbus space center in Touluse. In the era termed “Anthropocosmos” — during which human activity is considered to be a significant influence on the balance, beauty, and ecology of the entire universe — contemporary human imagination is easily intrigued by the dream and upgrade of science and technology with a renewed sense of urgency.
sophia-4 Hong Kong, China, 2017 - Sophia's face is made by a chemical material invented by David Hanson, chief executive of Hanson robotic. The first complex AI system to be realized on the SingularityNET will be an AI brain for Sophia Hanson, the most sophisticated humanoid robot ever built. This Year Saudi Arabia granted the status of Citizen to Sophia, that became the first robot to be recognized as a citizen. The new version of Sophia’s mind, currently under development by SingularityNET in conjunction with Hong Kong firm Hanson Robotics, will be a core node of the blockchain. Her intelligence will be plugged in the network for everyone’s benefit and will also receive input and wisdom from everyone's algorithms. Sophia’s mind will be constantly fed with new content from SingularityNET, while at the same time helping to power the network with its human-like intelligence.
sophia-7 Hong Kong, China, 2017 - Sophia's face is made by a chemical material invented by David Hanson, chief executive of Hanson robotic. The first complex AI system to be realized on the SingularityNET will be an AI brain for Sophia Hanson, the most sophisticated humanoid robot ever built. This Year Saudi Arabia granted the status of Citizen to Sophia, that became the first robot to be recognized as a citizen. The new version of Sophia’s mind, currently under development by SingularityNET in conjunction with Hong Kong firm Hanson Robotics, will be a core node of the blockchain. Her intelligence will be plugged in the network for everyone’s benefit and will also receive input and wisdom from everyone's algorithms. Sophia’s mind will be constantly fed with new content from SingularityNET, while at the same time helping to power the network with its human-like intelligence.
sophia-6 Hong Kong, China, 2017 - Sophia's face is made by a chemical material invented by David Hanson, chief executive of Hanson robotic. The first complex AI system to be realized on the SingularityNET will be an AI brain for Sophia Hanson, the most sophisticated humanoid robot ever built. This Year Saudi Arabia granted the status of Citizen to Sophia, that became the first robot to be recognized as a citizen. The new version of Sophia’s mind, currently under development by SingularityNET in conjunction with Hong Kong firm Hanson Robotics, will be a core node of the blockchain. Her intelligence will be plugged in the network for everyone’s benefit and will also receive input and wisdom from everyone's algorithms. Sophia’s mind will be constantly fed with new content from SingularityNET, while at the same time helping to power the network with its human-like intelligence.
sophia-5 Hong Kong, China, 2017 - Sophia's face is made by a chemical material invented by David Hanson, chief executive of Hanson robotic. The first complex AI system to be realized on the SingularityNET will be an AI brain for Sophia Hanson, the most sophisticated humanoid robot ever built. This Year Saudi Arabia granted the status of Citizen to Sophia, that became the first robot to be recognized as a citizen. The new version of Sophia’s mind, currently under development by SingularityNET in conjunction with Hong Kong firm Hanson Robotics, will be a core node of the blockchain. Her intelligence will be plugged in the network for everyone’s benefit and will also receive input and wisdom from everyone's algorithms. Sophia’s mind will be constantly fed with new content from SingularityNET, while at the same time helping to power the network with its human-like intelligence.
gds_portfolio24 Grottaglie, Puglia, 2021. Leonardo innovative plant in Grottaglie through “one piece barrel” advanced technology. Leonardo SpA provides services to the aerospace, defense and security sectors including: aerostructures, helicopters, aircraft, airborne and space systems, land and naval defense electronics and defense systems. Leonardo is already a leader in composite aerostructures, producing one-piece barrel sections and horizontal stabilizers for the Boeing 787
sex-change-industry AGNES A russian patient in her room at Kamol Hospital on February 16th 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand. 22 year old Agnes Landau had her sex reassignment surgery at Kamol Hospital on January 20th. She comes from the muslim south of Moscow, Russia. Her mother is from the middle east and father from Russia. © Giulio Di Sturco
transgender Bangkok, Thailand, 2018. Chanoknun Sirisuk 27, Beauty pagent Being a cabaret performer, Chanoknun believes that beauty is important for the job. She has received numerous cosmetic surgeries. In order to be a woman, she underwent sex-change operation when she was 24. After the surgery, she said her life has changed. She could feel peace in mind and be able to wear female clothes with condifence.
bangkok-thailand-2018-transgender-portrait-2 Bangkok, Thailand, 2018. Transgender Portrait
bangkok-thailand-2018-transgender-portrait Bangkok, Thailand, 2018. Transgender Portrait
tofm-ferrari-london London, UK, 2018, Charlotte Dunkerton a Ferrari collector
gds_portfolio26 Venice, July 2018 – Portrait of Ralph Rugoff, just confirmed as the curator of the 58th Venice Biennale in 2019.
milan-italy-2019-guido-cella-director-of-collateral-milan Milan, Italy 2019. Guido Cella, Director of Collateral Milan.
fashionland New Delhi, India, 2008. a look into the backstage of the Indian Fashion week
fashion-week-delhi New Delhi, India, 2008. a look into the backstage of the Indian Fashion week
cryos-international Copenaghen Denmark, 2017. Donors are paid from $15 to $76 per "donation," and the vials can sell from $45 to $1,137, depending on potency and donor profiles. Cryos International is located on the fifth floor of a small building in Aarhus, Denmark. It looks like any other office, but inside, it's among the world's largest sperm banks. Cryos International has sent vials of sperm to more than 80 countries, and more than 27,000 babies have been born from its donors. Donors are paid from $15 to $76 per "donation," and the vials can sell from $45 to $1,137, depending on potency and donor profiles
fashion-week-delhi-2 New Delhi, India, 2008. a look into the backstage of the Indian Fashion week

Giulio Di Sturco (b.1979 in Roccasecca, Italy) is an award-winning photographer based between London and Paris. He studied at the European Institute of Design in Rome before moving to Canada and then to India, where he spent five years refining his visual language. Di Sturco began his career as a photojournalist before dedicating himself to long-term projects which explore the society of the future in the face of environmental and technological changes. Experimenting with visual storytelling, new and old media, his practice expands traditions of documentary photography conjuring a poetics of the future where the boundaries between reality and fiction are blurred. His awards include three World Press Photo prizes, the Sony Photography Awards, the British Journal of Photography International Awards, and two Getty Grants. In 2019, his projects Aerotropolis was shortlisted for the Aesthetica Prize and nominated for Prix Pictet. He is a regular contributor to many international publications including The Financial Times, Vanity Fair, National Geographic, Wired and The New York Times. His work has been presented in solo and group exhibitions and festivals worldwide at York Art Gallery, Photaumnales Festival, Photo London, Getxophoto Festival, and Cortona On the Move Festival, among others. He has recentely published his first monograph, Ganga Ma (GOST, 2019) with essays by environmental activist Vandana Shiva and curator Eimear Martin.

More info

Stories

Aerotropolis
Ganga Ma

 

Books

Giulio Di Sturco, Ganga Ma, GOST Books, Aprli 2019

Awards

2023 “Fujifilm Grant” winner
2019 “PRix Pictet” nominee
2019 “Aestethica Art Prize” finalist
2018 “Getty Image Reportage Grant” winner
2018 “World Press Photo, Contemporary Issue, 2nd prize
2018 “Photography Grant”, Climate category, 2nd place
2018 “Lensculture Exposure Awards” Series, 2nd place
2018 “Kolga Photo Award”, Conceptual Category, winner
2018 “Phm Grant” honorable mention
2017 “Canon Europe Ambassador Programme”
2017 “Moscow Photo Awards”, Environmental Story, winner
2015 “World Press Photo”, Contemporary Issues, Stories, 1st prize
2015 “Sony World Photography Award, Landscape, 3rd prize
2014 “Kolga Photo Award”, Documentary Category, winner
2014 “GEtty Grant for editorial” winner
2014 “Vipa Award” winner
2012 “PX3 International Award” gold medal
2011 “PX3 International Award” gold medal
2011 “PDN’S 30 New and Emerging Photographers to watch”
2011 “POYI” Issue reporting picture story, winner
2011 “Antropographia Award for Human Rights” winner
2011 “Sony World Photography Award” Current Affairs, winner
2010 “Joop Stewart Masterclass”
2009 “World Press Photo”, Arts & Entertainment, Stories, 1st prize
2009 “BJP International Photography Award, Single image, winner
2009 “Sony World Photography Award” Contemporary issues, winner
2009 “Visa Pour l’Image”, Jury Prize
2009 “VII Agency” Mentor program

 

Exhibitions & Screenings

Selected Solo Show
2021 Ganga Ma, Paris Photo, France
2021  Ganga Ma, Bassano Biennale di Fotografia, Italy
2021 Sophia, Todimmagina Contemporary Photography Festival, Italy
2020 Ganga Ma, Fondazione Stelline, Milan, Italy
2019 Ganga Ma, Podbielski Contemporary, Milan, Italy
2019 Ganga Ma, Photo London, Somerset house, London, UK
2017 Aerotropolis, Getxophoto Festival, Getxo, Spain
2015 Chollyhood, Konfuzius Institut, Leipzig, Germany
2012 Fratello Fiumem CMC Cultural Centre, Milan, Italy
2012 Aerotropolis, Cortona on The Move Festival, Cortona, Italy
2011 3/11 Tsunami Photo Project, Open Mind Gallery, Milan Italy

Selected Collective Shows
2019 Aesthetica Art Prize, York Art Gallery, York, UK
2019 Terra nostra – Le temps de l’Antropocène, Photaumnales Festival, Beauvais, France
2019 Forgotten Places, Belfast Photo Festival, Belfast, UK
2018 Futuro Presente, Milano Digital Week, BASE, Milan, Italy
2018 Exposure Award Winners Exhibition, Photo London, Somerset House, London, UK
2018 World Press Photo, Various venues worldwide (also in 2015 and 2008)